The Crimson H: Jobless Harvard 3L Wonders, Why Me?
A little over three years ago, when current third-year students entered Harvard Law School, their future seemed assured. But the global economic crisis that struck in late 2008 ended the near-certainty with which they could anticipate a Harvard juris doctor degree would be a ticket to a highly paid BigLaw job, if desired.
Now, despite having landed prestigious summer associate positions last year, a number have been no-offered and forced to face up to an unpleasant fact, writes an anonymous 3L in the Harvard Law Record.
“We know the market has shrunk, we know the client base has retreated, we know that everyone is suffering, but we also know something else: Not every Harvard 3L got no-offered. We did. We didn’t measure up,” writes the unidentified author.
Despite the positive “Crimson H” factor provided by a Harvard law degree, employers gave the thumbs-down. “Something about us was so unappealing that it outweighed the appeal of having another Harvard graduate at the firm.”
Related earlier coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “Scarlet J.D.? ‘Hester Prynne’ Seeks Advice re Degree from Low-Ranked Law School”
